Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, November 09, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Reporting to: Project Coordinator, SOS
Responsible for: No direct responsibility but works closely with MHU District-Based Project Officers in the 2 project locations of Gulu and Wakiso
Work station: Kampala
Contract Type: Full Time, Two - Year Term (with a possibility for a 1 – year extension)
Working hours: 8:00am- 5:00pm (Monday - Friday)
Salary: Commensurate with experience, knowledge and skills
Start date: January 2023

Job Purpose
The Project Officer will be responsible for the generation and transmission of well-thought and agreed advocacy messages from the supported youth to the National level. S/he will guide the youth through their own school-based leadership structures to comprehend issues around youth mental health policy and legal framework especially the “Child and Youth Mental Health Policy Guidelines, 2017” for example the commitments and obligations therein, the gaps, the relationship with other policy and legal regimes, etc . This way the youth will be able to bring their own ideas to the district-based Youth Mental Health Advocacy Group and thereafter to the National level advocacy agenda for youth mental health.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role
Project Implementation
• Participate in the reviews to simplify and audit the mental health youth policy and legal framework with the aim of spearheading relevant reforms
• Support the creation and operationalization of the Youth Mental Health Advocacy Group at a district level both in Gulu and Wakiso
• Support trainings related to mental health policy and legal framework and advocacy strategies for youth in Uganda
• Work with youth leaders in selected schools to comprehend the mental health policy and legal framework for youth and support them to spread the same to the wider student community within supported schools
• Work with the Youth Mental Health Advocacy Group to generate messages at a district level and working with the Project Coordinator, support the transmission of the same for National level advocacy
• Work with and through students to develop relevant Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to facilitate mental health advocacy in schools
• Facilitate relations between the project and District Local Governments and maintain useful linkages and dialogue with all other relevant stakeholders to ensure collaboration, synergy, sharing of experiences and that the district delivers a coordinated response for mental health

Monitoring and Evaluation
• Organize and manage review and reflection session and annual cross-learning events, as well as advocacy meetings foreseen at the district level
• Participate in organizing and facilitating project reviews with project key stakeholders
• Coordinate sharing and learning, and document the best practices and success stories
• Undertake surveillance and update the SOS and other relevant actors on emerging issues around mental health in the country.


Reporting, Resource Management and Documentation
• Prepare and submit timely monthly work plans and reports
• Support preparation and dissemination of information related to mental health advocacy, relevant to the project components.

Person specifications
The applicant should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Rights, Gender and Development Studies (GAD), Community Psychology and or any other related studies with a minimum of 3 years relevant working experience in a Non-Government Organization. A post graduate training in advocacy will be an added advantage.

Essential criteria
• Good understanding of the legal and policy framework around disability, particularly mental health, in Uganda
• Good understanding of broader disability and youth rights
• Experience of working in partnerships, with demonstrable skills of collaborative working, and relationship management and the ability to identify and rapidly resolve barriers, difficulties and conflicts
• Advocacy and lobbying skills
• Very strong writing skills and presentation skills

Desirable criteria
• Experience of multi-tasking, prioritizing competing work and working within deadlines
• Experience of supporting youth-led advocacy and ensuring youth participation
• High level of English
• Good IT Skills with familiarity with key Microsoft Office Programs.


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

Interested individuals should send a motivation letter and CV as one PDF document/file (of maximum 8 pages for the Project Coordinator and 6 pages for all other positions), not later than 4:00pm on Friday 18th November 2022 via email to jobs@sosuganda.org  and copy to
mhu@mentalhealthuganda.org  - subject line is the job title e.g. “Project Coordinator”.
Do not send academic documents – heavy files containing academic documents or submitted as images, or any other that do not adhere to these instructions and or late applications, will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The motivation letter must also include the details of 2 suitable referees who can comment on the candidate’s ability. Women and Persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply, including those with a lived experience of mental health problems.
Note
1. The commencement of these positions is subject to the availability of funding.
2. SOS and MHU promote zero tolerance for discrimination/harassment based on gender, religious beliefs etc. All staff and volunteers shall adhere to strict guidelines in order to facilitate “silent” inclusion. Staff and volunteers also adhere to safeguarding provisions – a set of procedures and practices designed to ensure that no harm comes to project beneficiaries as a result of contact with MHU’s programs, operations or individuals.


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